World Cup
13 World Cup Debutants, 13 Veterans Make U.S. Squad As Pochettino Banks On Blend Of Youth And Experience
The United States have unveiled a balanced 26-man squad for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup, with head coach Mauricio Pochettino opting for a mix of 13 World Cup debutants and 13 experienced campaigners as the hosts target their deepest run in modern tournament history.
Leading the American charge are captain Christian Pulisic, midfield enforcer Tyler Adams and dynamic Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, all of whom featured prominently when the U.S. reached the Round of 16 at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The squad also includes one of the tournament’s most intriguing family storylines with the inclusion of Tim Weah, son of former Liberian president and African football legend George Weah. Tim Weah, who scored for the U.S. in Qatar, continues to carve out his own international identity after following in the footsteps of his illustrious father, the only African player to have won the Ballon d’Or.
Pochettino expressed confidence in the group selected to carry the expectations of a nation hosting the World Cup for the first time since 1994.
“We are confident this is the best group of 26 players to help us achieve success at the World Cup,” Pochettino said after naming his squad on Tuesday.
“These were very difficult decisions, and we are thankful to all the players who were part of this journey. This group is very focused and ready to give everything they have to represent the United States and deliver performances that will make the fans and the country proud.”
The squad retains significant experience from Qatar 2022, including all three American scorers from that tournament — Pulisic, Weah and Haji Wright.
AC Milan winger Pulisic remains the face of American football heading into the competition, while Bournemouth midfielder Adams is expected to provide leadership and steel in midfield after an impressive Premier League season.
Up front, AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun is tipped to spearhead the attack, especially if Pochettino deploys his preferred 3-4-2-1 system.
Another notable inclusion is Gio Reyna, who made the squad despite limited playing time at Borussia Mönchengladbach this season. Alejandro Zendejas also forced his way back into contention after an impressive finish to the season with Club America in Mexico.
However, there was disappointment for injured forward Diego Luna and Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann, who both failed to make the final cut.
As co-hosts alongside Mexico and Canada, the Americans are under intense pressure to deliver on home soil.
McKennie believes the tournament presents a rare opportunity to ignite passion for football across the United States.
“It’s a great opportunity for everyone on the roster and also for the fans who maybe don’t know a lot about soccer here in America to feel the passion,” McKennie said during the squad unveiling in Manhattan.
“I hope that we can make people fall in love with the game here and maybe be able to etch our names in the history books.”
The United States will begin their Group D campaign against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles.
U.S. 2026 World Cup squad in full
GOALKEEPERS (3): Matt Freese (NYCFC), Matt Turner (New England Revolution), Chris Brady (Chicago Fire).
CENTRE BACKS (5): Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Auston Trusty (Celtic), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati).
FULLBACKS (5): Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew).
CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS (4): Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps)
ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS/WINGERS (6): Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Tim Weah (Marseille), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Alejandro Zendejas (Club América)
STRIKERS (3): Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Haji Wright (Coventry City).
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By Kunle Solaja.
Nigerian-descent striker Folarin Balogun will represent the United States at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being named in the Americans’ final 26-man squad for the tournament on home soil.
Balogun, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Nigerian parents, is one of three recognised strikers selected by head coach Mauricio Pochettino for the competition alongside Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright.
The AS Monaco forward has rapidly become one of the key figures in the American attack since switching international allegiance from England to the United States. His pace, movement and finishing ability are expected to play a major role as the co-hosts seek an impressive run at the tournament.
Balogun’s inclusion further highlights the growing multicultural character of the U.S. national team, which also features players with African, European and Latin American heritage.
The United States squad will be led by AC Milan star Christian Pulisic, while Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams and Juventus’ Weston McKennie are expected to provide leadership and experience in midfield.
Also included in the squad is Tim Weah, son of former Liberian president and African football icon George Weah.
The Americans have assembled a balanced squad featuring players from top European leagues as well as Major League Soccer clubs, with Pochettino banking on youthful energy and tournament experience.
Among the goalkeepers selected are Matt Turner, Matt Freese and Chris Brady.
The defensive unit includes Chris Richards, Tim Ream and Fulham fullback Antonee Robinson.
Creative support for Balogun in attack will come from players such as Gio Reyna, Brenden Aaronson and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Malik Tillman.
The United States, co-hosting the World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, are hoping home support and a talented generation of players can help them challenge the traditional global powers.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Morocco’s national football team have unveiled a 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the Atlas Lions seek to surpass their historic achievement at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they became the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the global tournament.
Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who succeeded Walid Regragui in March, announced his squad ahead of the tournament to be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Ouahbi, formerly coach of Morocco’s under-20 side, has retained several experienced stars from the historic Qatar 2022 campaign, including captain Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Sofyan Amrabat and defender Nayef Aguerd.
The squad also includes exciting new faces, notably midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who switched international allegiance after representing France at the youth level.
“A dream come true, but above all, the start of a new chapter, with even more work, rigour, and responsibilities,” Bouaddi wrote on social media after his inclusion.
“I am aware of the privilege I have to defend these colours, and I will give everything to represent my country in the best possible way.
“A thought also for France. My choice in no way diminishes the pride and gratitude for having been able to wear that jersey in my youth.”
Aguerd, who has been sidelined for nearly three months through injury, was still included in the squad and is expected to prove his fitness before the competition begins.
Striker Youssef En-Nesyri, a key figure in Morocco’s run to the semi-finals in Qatar, also retained his place, while goalkeeper Ahmed Tagnaouti earned a recall after helping AS FAR reach the CAF Champions League final against Mamelodi Sundowns F.C..
Tagnaouti returns to the national team for the first time since the 2022 World Cup and is expected to serve as backup to first-choice goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Morocco open their Group C campaign against Brazil in New Jersey on June 13 before facing Scotland in Boston six days later. Their final group match will be against Haiti in Miami on June 24.
Morocco’s latest World Cup mission continues a rich history of African milestones at the tournament. The Atlas Lions became the first African team to score at a World Cup when Mohammed Houmane Jarir scored against the then West Germany national football team at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
In the same tournament, Morocco also became the first African team to earn a World Cup point after a 1-1 draw with Bulgaria national football team.
At the 1986 FIFA World Cup, Morocco again rewrote history by becoming the first African team to top a World Cup group and the first from the continent to advance beyond the group stage after finishing ahead of England national football team, Poland national football team and Portugal national football team.
Morocco also contributed to World Cup history off the pitch when Said Belqola became the first — and still the only — African referee to officiate a World Cup final at 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Having consistently broken new ground for African football, Morocco will now hope to scale even greater heights in North America after their groundbreaking semi-final run in Qatar
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal), Munir Mohamedi (RS Berkane), Ahmed Tagnaouti (Royal Armed Forces)
Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV Eindhoven), Youssef Belammari (Al Ahly), Nayef Aguerd (Marseille), Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace), Issa Diop (West Ham United), Redouane Halhal (KV Mechelen), Achraf Hakimi (Paris St-Germain), Zakaria El Ouahdi (Genk)
Midfielders: Samir El Mourabet (Strasbourg), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille), Neil El Aynaoui (Roma), Sofyan Amrabat (Real Betis), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona), Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven)
Forwards: Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis), Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos), Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid), Yassine Gessime (Strasbourg), Ayoub Amaimouni-Echghouyabe (Eintracht Frankfurt).
Reserves: Goalkeeper El Mehdi Al Harrar (Raja Casablanca), centre-back Marwane Saâdane (Al-Fateh) and winger Amine Sbaï (Angers).
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Argentina captain Lionel Messi has suffered a left hamstring muscle fatigue scare less than three weeks before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being forced off during Inter Miami CF’s thrilling 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Sunday.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was substituted in the 73rd minute after appearing to clutch the back of his left thigh following a free kick during the Major League Soccer encounter.
Inter Miami confirmed on Monday that medical examinations revealed muscle fatigue in Messi’s left hamstring.
“After undergoing further medical tests this Monday, the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring,” the club said in a statement.
“The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress.”
Messi’s condition has sparked concern in Argentina ahead of the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos attempted to calm fears after the match, attributing the issue partly to fatigue and the condition of the playing surface.
“He looked tired after playing on a heavy pitch,” Hoyos reportedly said after the game.
Major League Soccer has now entered a break period for the World Cup, potentially giving Messi valuable recovery time before Argentina defends their title.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni had earlier included Messi in a provisional 55-man squad announced this month ahead of the country’s opening group match against the Algerian national football team in Kansas City on June 16.
Messi, now 38, captained Argentina to their third FIFA World Cup triumph in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and is widely expected to lead the South Americans again in what could become his sixth World Cup appearance.
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